Mal Shi

The Mal Shi is a cross between the Maltese and Shih Tzu. They are an adorable breed that is extremely loyal and the ultimate lap dog.

They are small, but their social personalities make up for their size. In addition, they are a low-shedding breed that might be the perfect fit for dog lovers with allergies.

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Four Different Types of Maltese and Shih Tzu Mixes

While there are no other species  or crossbreeds of Mal Shi because they are a relatively new hybrid, there are many mixes of their famous parents, which include:

Maltichon (Maltese Bichon Frise Mix)

The Maltichon hybrid breed crossed between the Bichon Frise and Maltese. By combining these two breeds, you get one fluffy dog that needs constant grooming!

They are quite needy and will need extra quality time with their humans, so they are best suited for elderly owners or people who work from home.

This breed inherits its intelligence and good looks from the Bichon Frise, along with its attachment issues. This is due to the pampering their ancestors received from years of living with European royalty.

So, when it comes to playtime or being left alone, ensure plenty of interactive toys are available to keep them distracted.

Health and Entertainment for your Mal Shi

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Mauxie or Moxie (Maltese Dachshund Mix)

The Moxie is a mix of Maltese and Dachshund and has two names, the Mauxie and Moxie. Because they are part hound, they benefit from positive reinforcement training. They are great lap dogs and love snuggling under the blankets on cold nights.

Pug-Zu (Shih Tzu Pug Mix)

The Pug-Zu is a mix between a Pug and a Shih Tzu, and they are the definition of dynamite comes in small packages! However, they don’t need a lot of exercise, and owners can keep them entertained with interactive toys.

In addition, they are a brachycephalic breed, meaning they have shorter snouts and smaller airways, making breathing harder for them. As a result, a vet should always be consulted about ways to ensure the best health for this special breed.

Schnau-Tzu (Schnauzer Shih Tzu Mix)

The Schnau-Tzu is a mix between the Schnauzer and Shih Tzu and are lively little things! They inherit their energy from the Schnauzer and will need a lot of exercise and attention. However, they are also extremely lovable and will be your cuddle buddy when you need one.

Three Pros and Cons of Owning a Mal Shi

As with all dog breeds, there are always pros and cons that owners need to take into account before making their decision.

Pros

• The Mal Shi is hypoallergenic
• They don’t need a lot of exercise
• In general, they don’t bark a lot
• Mal Shis get along well with children, strangers, and other pets
• They are small, making them perfect for apartment living

Cons

• Because they are so stubborn, they are difficult to train
• Not a good companion for intensive exercise routines
• Can suffer from Small Dog Syndrome or separation anxiety

The Best Dog Food for a Mal Shi

The Mal Shi thrives on high-quality kibble. It would be best to choose a brand that offers a formula that caters to their unique needs. Therefore, choose a brand with a small breed formula that’s high nutritional value, like Wellness CORE Grain-free Small Breed kibble.

In addition, you should always account for the different stages in Mal Shi’s development. For example, there are specific foods for every stage of their lives:

• Puppy Kibble
• Senior dog food

On average, your Mal Shi should receive ¼ to ½ a cup of dog food daily, divided into two meals. That sounds very little, but overfeeding your pooch is not a good idea. If they gain weight, it can lead to several health issues like diabetes or obesity.

Mal Shi Size and Weight

Mal Shi’s are the perfect size for lap dogs, measuring 10 inches high and weighing between 5 to 12 pounds.

Mal Shi Common Health Issues

Unfortunately, this mixed breed can inherit their parent’s health issues, which include:

• Patellar Luxation
• White shaker syndrome
• Respiratory problems

However, with proper care, a nutritious diet, and the right amount of exercise, your Mal Shi can live a long and healthy life. In addition, they should go for regular vet checkups to prevent any surprises.

Mal Shi Temperament

The Mal Shi is affectionate, loving, alert, and devoted. They inherit their temperament from both parents, making them gentle, fearless, and playful.

From their Shih Tze side, they inherit their guard dog trait. So while they won’t be able to fend off intruders, they will be sure to let you know someone is there. While they do bark when something is wrong, they are not even half as noisy as both their parents!

In addition, they are fast learners, and it will take no time to teach them new tricks. However, they are very needy dogs and can suffer from separation anxiety, so it’s best they live in a home where their owner is always around.

How to Take Care of a Mal Shi

Taking care of a Mal Shi is easy, as long as you can manage these four guidelines:

Maintenance and Grooming

When it comes to grooming, Mal Shi’s are very similar to their parents. They typically have silky, long, and straight hair. However, sometimes their hair is wavy, which requires daily brushing to prevent tangles or matting.

Mal Shis are prone to tear stains around their eyes, so the area also needs daily cleaning. Luckily, they don’t shed a lot, but their nails grow fast and need clipping every two to three weeks.

To prevent tartar build-up, their teeth need brushing three times a week; however, some owners brush their furballs teeth every day to prevent tooth decay. Therefore, it’s essential to use the best dog toothpaste you can find to keep their teeth clean and healthy. In addition, keeping your Mal Shi looking their best will require weekly baths.

Training

Because the Mal Shi is so intelligent, they are easy to train. And their eagerness to learn makes them the perfect breed for first-time owners. In addition, they are very social dogs, so socialization from a young age is imperative.

Exercise

While the Mal Shi are very energetic, they do not need too much exercise. For example, as long as they get a few short exercise breaks during the day, they will have no problem cuddling up on your lap later.

However, they should always have toys available to help with stimulation. Be cautious about how much exercise they get because they are brachycephalic, which means they can’t get too hot or overexert themselves.

Puppies

Mal-Shi puppies love being the center of attention, but that’s ok because they are so adorable! However, don’t let their cute little faces fool you; they need to start training as soon as possible. In addition, they need to be socialized from a young age. You can do this by taking them to a dog park or other new environments where they can meet new animals and people.

If you neglect socializing your pup, it could result in a whole bunch of behavioral issues like:

• Wariness of other animals or people
• Fear
• Anxiousness
• Aggressiveness

Unsocialized pups can lash out for simple reasons, leading to unsolicited nipping when defending their food or toys.

Mal Shi and Children

While the Mal Shi is friendly and playful, they are more suited to families with older children. However, any dog breed should never be left alone with small children as they don’t know how to treat dogs properly yet, which could result in the child being bitten.

If socialized from a young age, these dogs do very well in multi-pet homes and will want to play with anything or anyone.

Dogs similar to the Mal Shi

• Blonka-Poo (Mix between a miniature poodle and Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka)
• Yorkie-ton (Mix between a Coton de Tulear and Yorkshire Terrier)
• Shiranian (Mix between a Shih Tzu and Pomeranian)

Popular Names for a Mal Shi

One of the best parts of getting a new puppy is naming them. So if you need some inspiration, here are the most popular names for Mal Shis:

• Bella
• Teddy
• Daisy
• Charlie
• Lily
• Max
• Zoe
• Chloe

Up Next

• 13 Smallest Dog Breeds in the World
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1. Wag Walking, Available here: https://wagwalking.com/breed/mal-shi
2. Dog Time, Available here: https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/maltese-shih-tzu#/slide/1
3. Pet Guide, Available here: https://www.petguide.com/breeds/dog/mal-shi/